Chiefs Accused of Serving as Minister Garwe’s Bodyguards Amid Constitutional Concerns

MASVINGO – Two recently appointed traditional leaders, Chief Chikwanda of Masvingo and Chief Nyakuchena of Mudzi, have come under scrutiny after reportedly being seen acting as part of Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe’s security detail, raising legal and constitutional concerns.

The two chiefs, Silas Chikwanda (Chief Chikwanda) and Keith Karinda Chimbangu (Chief Nyakuchena), were reportedly observed accompanying Garwe during a visit to Masvingo two weeks ago, where they appeared to be performing bodyguard duties.

Reports further allege that both traditional leaders are members of the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and continue to hold intelligence roles alongside their positions as chiefs.

The development has sparked debate among legal experts and governance analysts, who argue that the arrangement may undermine the independence and dignity of traditional leadership while potentially violating provisions of Zimbabwe’s Constitution.

Prominent lawyer Aleck Muchadehama said the reported arrangement raises serious constitutional concerns, particularly regarding the role of chiefs in Zimbabwe’s governance framework. According to Muchadehama, chiefs are appointed on a full-time basis to administer local governance and customary justice within their communities and are expected to remain focused on those responsibilities.

"My understanding is that chiefs are appointed on a full-time basis to administer governance and justice at the local level, and thus they get monthly stipends and vehicles from the Government. Chiefs have to be grounded in the communities that they are appointed to serve," he said.

Muchadehama cited Section 282 of the Constitution, which outlines the functions and conduct expected of traditional leaders.

"Section 282 of the Constitution bars chiefs from being partisan, which Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 seeks to overturn. Once appointed, you can’t be a civil servant," he added.

Constitutional lawyer Lovemore Madhuku strongly criticised the arrangement, describing it as incompatible with the role of a traditional leader. Speaking to the Masvingo Mirror, Madhuku argued that an individual cannot simultaneously serve as a chief and hold gainful employment within government structures.

"You cannot be a chief and be gainfully employed by the government. The Minister is demeaning the office of chiefs, and he acted wrongly by recommending individuals in his office to be appointed as chiefs," said Madhuku.

He further alleged that the appointments raise concerns about conflicts of interest and governance standards.

"This shows corrupt tendencies in the appointment of the two chiefs. This is absolute madness," he said.

The controversy comes amid broader national debate over the role of traditional leaders in governance and politics, particularly as discussions continue around Constitution Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3).

Critics argue that chiefs should remain independent and focused on serving their communities rather than becoming involved in political or government activities that could compromise their neutrality. Governance experts have also suggested that the matter warrants scrutiny by the Chiefs’ Council, with some arguing that its leadership has a responsibility to seek clarification on whether the arrangement complies with constitutional requirements.

Neither Minister Garwe nor the chiefs named in the reports had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication. As debate continues, the controversy is likely to intensify scrutiny over the relationship between traditional leadership, government service, and constitutional compliance in Zimbabwe. The matter also raises broader questions about the separation of traditional authority from state institutions and the extent to which chiefs can hold additional roles while fulfilling their constitutional obligations to the communities they serve.

Chiefs serving as bodyguards